• Devotionals,  Faith

    Turning Away From God

    [Guest post by Jo Ann Erwin: Welcome back, Jo Ann! I read this submission soon after I had my baby and I was still so full of hormones. I knew a story about a stray kitten was bound to bring me to tears, but when I read this powerful metaphor of turning away from God…well, I think I cried a lot more!] I am leaving the restaurant after a fine meal, my belly is full.  As I walk to my car, I hear a distress call.  It’s a kitten at the dumpsters.  He is frantic.  It has been raining and he is soaked to the bone.  I call to him and…

  • Devotionals,  Health & Body

    Take Good Care of Yourself!

    [Guest post by Kunbi Ayo-Okanlawon: I found Kunbi’s post about the unhealthy fitness trends on social media very timely and extremely important for our readers. Remember, take good care of yourself!] “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) I love fitness and I’ve been called a fitness fanatic a number of times. More importantly, I love encouraging and inspiring people on their health and fitness journey. Being fit and healthy is a good thing, and Apostle Paul alluded to that fact in 1 Timothy 4:8. Eating healthy (and within reason) and staying…

  • Devotionals,  Family

    When the Fireworks Lost Their Sparkle

    [Guest post by Nicole Bernard: We’re welcoming back Nicole today to share her perspective on how our sins hurt God.] The Fourth of July can be quite stressful…. at least that’s my experience as a mother to a rescue basset who suffers from anxiety issues.  This year, while my husband, Steve, and three-year-old son, Carter, sat outside enjoying the fireworks, I remained inside with Lucy as she paced, panted, trembled, and occasionally lost control of her bladder (and worse).   As I sat crouched on my knees near our living room window, scrubbing away at the carpet, a burst of light flashed, catching my eye.  Turning my head, I was…

  • Devotionals

    Criticism and Worship

    [Guest post by Hannah Kallio: I especially appreciated this post from Hannah, because criticism is definitely something I am trying to work on myself. I’d rather worship in the right way!]   She Was the Worst. Worship Leader. Ever. (and I Was just like Her) Have you ever read the Bible, and seen your best and worst reflected back at you? That happened to me recently when I read Miriam’s story. I hadn’t noticed how much Miriam and I had in common. Her finest moments were moments of worship: Then the prophet Miriam…took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And…

  • Devotionals,  Relationships

    Companion on the Journey

    [Guest post by Samantha Hanni: Trying to conceive, infertility, miscarriages and pregnancy are difficult times and Samantha is right — it’s so important to have a female companion on the journey! God certainly placed someone like this in my life, and what an encouragement she was!] Luke 1:5-36; 39-45; 56 Elizabeth and Mary. Two pregnancies against all odds. A virgin birth? A pregnancy after menopause? Medically impossible. Highly unlikely. Imagine the looks the teenager and grandma-aged lady must have gotten from neighbors, even friends. The suspected immorality. The arched eyebrows and whispered comments behind palms. How trying and humiliating…to be pregnant is to be already vulnerable, but to be labeled as…